WE HERE...

Bonus video. This is Dilla's younger sibling, Illa J, with "We Here" from his debut album Yancey Boys. Courtesy of Delicious Vinyl.

CONVERSE 1HUND(RED) x WOOD WOOD

Danish fashion brand Wood Wood comes together with Converse to deliver this monochromatic rendition of the classic Chuck Taylor in smooth lavender suede. Available today (Black Friday) at specialty retailers. The hotness.

GHOSTS OF THE BARBARY COAST...

On December 4th, Jeremy Fish's new art show "Ghosts of the Barbary Coast" will open in San Francisco at Gallery 50/24SF. The artwork depicts the post-goldrush slum that was S.F.'s Barbary Coast, and the violence, gangs, and prostitution that overran much of what is now Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach.



Aesop Rock created a new song called "Tomorrow Morning" to accompany Jeremy's show. The song will play in the gallery throughout the night. "Tomorrow Morning" was written and produced by Aesop Rock, contains additional chorus vocals by El-P, and scratches by Dj Big Wiz.

A limited edition double-sided Jeremy Fish print will be available for sale to show-goers. This special item contains Jeremy Fish images printed on both sides of a small wooden plank. Attached to the print will be a miniature wood grain USB hard drive containing the new Aesop Rock song, an instrumental version, lyrics and a digital show catalog. Only 100 of these will be made, and are being sold for $15.

I LIKE SHOULDER PADS...

2008 breakout star Santogold shares her fondness for shoulder pads, relives an embarrassing stage moment with GZA, and makes a really bad lacrosse analogy in this interview with XLR8R TV. Check it.

THE TRUTH...

New video from Seattle's best, hip-hop producer Jake One. This is "The Truth" featuring Freeway & Brother Ali from his debut album White Van Music. Courtesy of Rhymesayers.

808s & HEARTBREAK...

It's finally here. The highly anticipated 808s & Heartbreak from KanYe West officially drops today. Yeezy takes a more "pop" approach this time around eschewing raps for auto-tuned melodies. I wasn't 100% sold on the new style at first but it's definitely growing on me. I'm anxious to hear the record in it's entirety.

RADNESS!!!

Golf carts, ninja stars, & swim aerobics. This video has it all. Thank you Tobacco.

SHE LOVES EVERYBODY...

Straight outta Harvard University, this is Chester French with their breakout single "She Loves Everybody". The duo recently inked a deal with Pharrell's Star Trak label so expect to hear a lot from them in the coming year.

RENAISSANCE RAP...

Hands down one of my favorite tracks from The Renaissance, this is Q-Tip with "Renaissance Rap". Directed by the prolific Rik Cordero. You need to own this record, seriously.

NoDoz: 14KT

It's been a big year for the state of Michigan in terms of indie hip-hop. Black Milk, eLZhi, Invincible, and Guilty Simpson each delivered solid albums in 2008. Our latest NoDoz'r, 14KT, keeps the streak alive with his debut instrumental release entitled The Golden Hour.



14KT has been holding it down for a minute on the MI hip-hop scene as 1/7 of the Athletic Mic League (AML) and 1/4 of The Lab Techs production team. He's worked with just about every hip-hop notable outta Detroit and with his latest release is striking out on his own to showcase his soulful, Dilla-esque productions. Check for him after the jump.

UP ALL NIGHT...

New video from Johnson&Jonson. This is "Up All Night" from Blu & Mainframe's self-titled 2008 release on Tres Records. Not my favorite track off the record, but Blu definitely does his thing.

BEAMRIDER...

Stay Puft favorite Eliot Lipp is back with the Beamrider Digi 12 featuring 3 new sci-fi electro hip-hop workouts. Courtesy of Lipp's new imprint Old Tacoma Records.

GIVE THE DRUMMER SUM...

Hot new video from Motown rising star Black Milk. This is the "Give The Drummer Sum" from his latest release Tronic. Courtesy of Fat Beats Records.

JUST AIN'T GONNA WORK OUT...

I've been rocking this one STEADY since I discovered it a couple weeks back. This is Mayer Hawthorne and The County with "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out". The hotness.

SLOW BURNING LIGHTS...

Also out this week is Slow Burning Lights from SF based production duo Blue Sky Black Death. The album is a vocal collaboration with songstress Yes Alexander whose whispery tones gel nicely with BSBD's trademark dramatic hip-hop backdrops.

THE DEATH OF ADAM...

Today marks the release of the debut solo jawn from 88-Keys entitled The Death of Adam. A concept album, the record tells the story of Adam, who dies over his love/hate relationship with the opposite sex. Featuring guest shots from KanYe West, Phonte of Little Brother, KiD CuDi, and more. Check it.

HEARTLESS...

KanYe West is back with the second video from his forthcoming 808s and Heartbreak. This is "Heartless" directed by the incomparable Hype Williams.

YANCEY BOYS...

Also out this week is the debut from Dilla's younger brother Illa J entitled Yancey Boys. The album is produced entirely by the late J Dilla using unreleased beats from 95'-98'. Little brother's rhyming/singing might not be up to snuff with big brother's production, but when the beats are this good who am I to complain?

THE RENAISSANCE...

Nine years removed from his debut solo album Amplified, Q-Tip FINALLY delivers The Renaissance this week. And from the sound of things, it was well worth the wait. Produced by The Abstract himself (save for one Dilla joint), the entire album has that vintage ATCQ vibe we all know and love. Don't sleep on this one.

IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE...

WELCOME TO THE TERRORDOME...

New video from one of my all-time favorite emcees, Pharoahe Monch. This is a remake of Public Enemy's classic "Welcome to the Terrordome". Taken from his 2007 banger Desire.